Elite event A2407-12 and methods and kits for identifying such event in biological samples

ABSTRACT

Tools are provided which allow rapid and unequivocal identification elite event A2704-12 in biological samples.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage filing of International Application No. PCT/EP2006/003454, filed Apr. 4, 2006, which claims priority to EP 05075833.3, filed Apr. 8, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/670,213, filed Apr. 11, 2005, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to methods and kits for identifying in biological samples the presence of plant material comprising specifically transformation event A2704-12, as well as transgenic soybean plants, plant material and seeds containing such event. The soybean plants of the invention combine the herbicide tolerant phenotype with an agronomic performance, genetic stability and adaptability to different genetic backgrounds equivalent to the non-transformed soybean line in the absence of weed pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The phenotypic expression of a transgene in a plant is determined both by the structure of the gene itself and by its location in the plant genome. At the same time the presence of the transgene (in a foreign DNA) at different locations in the genome will influence the overall phenotype of the plant in different ways. The agronomically or industrially successful introduction of a commercially interesting trait in a plant by genetic manipulation can be a lengthy procedure dependent on different factors. The actual transformation and regeneration of genetically transformed plants are only the first in a series of selection steps, which include extensive genetic characterization, breeding, and evaluation in field trials, eventually leading to the selection of an elite event.

The unequivocal identification of an elite event is becoming increasingly important in view of discussions on Novel Food/Feed, segregation of GMO and non-GMO products and the identification of proprietary material. Ideally, such identification method is both quick and simple, without the need for an extensive laboratory set-up. Furthermore, the method should provide results that allow unequivocal determination of the elite event without expert interpretation, but which hold up under expert scrutiny if necessary.

A2704-12 was selected as an elite event in the development of soybean (Glycine max L.) resistant to the herbicide Liberty®, by transformation of soybean with a plasmid comprising the synthetic pat gene encoding tolerance to phosphinothricin and may be commercially sold as Liberty Link® soybean. The tools for use in simple and unequivocal methods for identification elite event A2704-12 in biological samples are described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, which methods are based on primers or probes which specifically recognize the 5′ and/or 3′ flanking sequence of A2704-12.

More specifically, the invention relates to a method comprising of amplifying a sequence of a nucleic acid present in biological samples, using a polymerase chain reaction with at least two primers, one of which recognizes the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12, the other which recognizes a sequence within the foreign DNA, preferably to obtain a DNA fragment of between 100 and 500 bp. The primers may recognize a sequence within the 5′ flanking region of A2704-12 (SEQ ID No. 1, from position 1 to position 209) or within the 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 (complement of SEQ ID No 2 from position 569 to position 1000) and a sequence within the foreign DNA (complement of SEQ ID No 1 from position 210 to 720 or SEQ ID No 2 from position 1 to position 568), respectively. The primer recognizing the 5′ flanking region may comprise the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 and the primer recognizing a sequence within the foreign DNA may comprise the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 8 described herein.

The present invention more specifically relates to a method for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, which method comprises amplifying a sequence of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample, using a polymerase chain reaction with two primers having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 and SEQ ID No. 8 respectively, to obtain a DNA fragment of about 185 bp.

The present invention further relates to the specific flanking sequences of A2704-12 described herein, which can be used to develop specific identification methods for A2704-12 in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to the 5′ and or 3′ flanking regions of A2704-12 which can be used for the development of specific primers and probes as further described herein. The invention further relates to identification methods for the presence of A2704-12 in biological samples based on the use of such specific primers or probes. Primers may consist of a nucleotide sequence of 17 to about 200 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209 or the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000) combined with primers consisting of a nucleotide sequence of 17 to about 200 consecutive nucleotides selected from the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720 or the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 569. Primers may also comprise these nucleotide sequences located at their extreme 3′ end, and further comprise unrelated sequences or sequences derived from the mentioned nucleotide sequences, but comprising mismatches.

The invention further relates to kits for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, said kits comprising at least one primer or probe which specifically recognizes the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12.

The kit of the invention may comprise, in addition to a primer which specifically recognizes the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12, a second primer which specifically recognizes a sequence within the foreign DNA of A2704-12, for use in a PCR identification protocol. Preferably, the kit of the invention comprises two specific primers, one of which recognizes a sequence within the 5′ flanking region of A2704-12, and the other which recognizes a sequence within the foreign DNA. Especially The primer recognizing the 5′ flanking region may comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 and the primer recognizing the transgene may comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 8 or any other primer as described herein.

The invention further relates to a kit for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, said kit comprising the PCR primers having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 and SEQ ID No. 8 for use in the A2704-12 PCR identification protocol described herein.

The invention also relates to a kit for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, which kit comprises a specific probe having a sequence which corresponds (or is complementary to) a sequence having between 80% and 100% sequence identity with a specific region of A2704-12. Preferably the sequence of the probe corresponds to a specific region comprising part of the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12. Most preferably the specific probe has (or is complementary to) a sequence having between 80% and 100% sequence identity to the sequence between nucleotide 160 and 260 of SEQ ID No. 1 or the sequence between nucleotide 520 and 620 of SEQ ID No 2.

The methods and kits encompassed by the present invention can be used for different purposes such as, but not limited to the following: to identify the presence or absence of A2704-12 in plants, plant material or in products such as, but not limited to food or feed products (fresh or processed) comprising or derived from plant material; additionally or alternatively, the methods and kits of the present invention can be used to identify transgenic plant material for purposes of segregation between transgenic and non-transgenic material; additionally or alternatively, the methods and kits of the present invention can be used to determine the quality (i.e. percentage pure material) of plant material comprising A2704-12.

The invention further relates to the 5′ and/or 3′ flanking regions of A2704-12 as well as to the specific primers and probes developed from the 5′ and/or 3′ flanking sequences of A2704-12.

The invention also relates to soybean plants, parts thereof, cells, seeds and progeny plants comprising elite event A2704-12. Such plants, parts thereof, cells, seeds and progeny plants can be identified using the methods as herein described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The incorporation of a recombinant DNA molecule in the plant genome typically results from transformation of a cell or tissue (or from another genetic manipulation). The particular site of incorporation is either due to “random” integration or is at a predetermined location (if a process of targeted integration is used).

The DNA introduced into the plant genome as a result of transformation of a plant cell or tissue with a recombinant DNA or “transforming DNA”, and originating from such transforming DNA is hereinafter referred to as “foreign DNA” comprising one or more “transgenes”. “Plant DNA” in the context of the present invention will refer to DNA originating from the plant which is transformed. Plant DNA will usually be found in the same genetic locus in the corresponding wild-type plant. The foreign DNA can be characterized by the location and the configuration at the site of incorporation of the recombinant DNA molecule in the plant genome. The site in the plant genome where a recombinant DNA has been inserted is also referred to as the “insertion site” or “target site”. Insertion of the recombinant DNA into the plant genome can be associated with a deletion of plant DNA, referred to as “target site deletion”. A “flanking region” or “flanking sequence” as used herein refers to a sequence of at least 20 bp, preferably at least 50 bp, and up to 5000 bp of the plant genome which is located either immediately upstream of and contiguous with or immediately downstream of and contiguous with the foreign DNA. Transformation procedures leading to random integration of the foreign DNA will result in transformants with different flanking regions, which are characteristic and unique for each transformant. When the recombinant DNA is introduced into a plant through traditional crossing, its insertion site in the plant genome, or its flanking regions will generally not be changed. An “insertion region” as used herein refers to the region corresponding to the region of at least 40 bp, preferably at least 100 bp, and up to 10000 bp, encompassed by the sequence which comprises the upstream and/or the downstream flanking region of a foreign DNA in the plant genome. Taking into consideration minor differences due to mutations within a species, an insertion region will retain, upon crossing into a plant of the same species, at least 85%, preferably 90%, more preferably 95%, and most preferably 100% sequence identity with the sequence comprising the upstream and downstream flanking regions of the foreign DNA in the plant originally obtained from transformation.

An event is defined as a (artificial) genetic locus that, as a result of genetic engineering, carries a transgene comprising at least one copy of a gene of interest. The typical allelic states of an event are the presence or absence of the foreign DNA. An event is characterized phenotypically by the expression of the transgene. At the genetic level, an event is part of the genetic makeup of a plant. At the molecular level, an event can be characterized by the restriction map (e.g. as determined by Southern blotting), by the upstream and/or downstream flanking sequences of the transgene, the location of molecular markers and/or the molecular configuration of the transgene. Usually transformation of a plant with a transforming DNA comprising at least one gene of interest leads to a multitude of events, each of which is unique.

An elite event, as used herein, is an event which is selected from a group of events, obtained by transformation with the same transforming DNA or by back-crossing with plants obtained by such transformation, based on the expression and stability of the transgene(s) and its compatibility with optimal agronomic characteristics of the plant comprising it. Thus the criteria for elite event selection are one or more, preferably two or more, advantageously all of the following:

a) That the presence of the foreign DNA does not compromise other desired characteristics of the plant, such as those relating to agronomic performance or commercial value;

b) That the event is characterized by a well defined molecular configuration which is stably inherited and for which appropriate tools for identity control can be developed;

c) That the gene(s) of interest show(s) a correct, appropriate and stable spatial and temporal phenotypic expression, both in heterozygous (or hemizygous) and homozygous condition of the event, at a commercially acceptable level in a range of environmental conditions in which the plants carrying the event are likely to be exposed in normal agronomic use.

It is preferred that the foreign DNA is associated with a position in the plant genome that allows easy introgression into desired commercial genetic backgrounds.

The status of an event as an elite event is confirmed by introgression of the elite event in different relevant genetic backgrounds and observing compliance with one, two or all of the criteria e.g. a), b) and c) above.

An “elite event” thus refers to a genetic locus comprising a foreign DNA, which answers to the above-described criteria. A plant, plant material or progeny such as seeds can comprise one or more elite events in its genome.

The tools developed to identify an elite event or the plant, plant material comprising an elite event, or products which comprise plant material comprising the elite event are based on the specific genomic characteristics of the elite event, such as, a specific restriction map of the genomic region comprising the foreign DNA, molecular markers or the sequence of the flanking region(s) of the foreign DNA.

Once one or both of the flanking regions of the foreign DNA have been sequenced, primers and probes can be developed which specifically recognize this (these) sequence(s) in the nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) of a sample by way of a molecular biological technique. For instance a PCR method can be developed to identify the elite event in biological samples (such as samples of plants, plant material or products comprising plant material). Such a PCR is based on at least two specific “primers” one recognizing a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the elite event and the other recognizing a sequence within the foreign DNA. The primers preferably have a sequence of between 15 and 35 nucleotides which under optimized PCR conditions “specifically recognize” a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the elite event and the foreign DNA of the elite event respectively, so that a specific fragment (“integration fragment” or discriminating amplicon) is amplified from a nucleic acid sample comprising the elite event. This means that only the targeted integration fragment, and no other sequence in the plant genome or foreign DNA, is amplified under optimized PCR conditions.

PCR primers suitable for the invention may be the following:

-   -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 210 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 consecutive nucleotides selected from         the 5′ flanking sequence (SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 1 to         nucleotide 209) at their 3′ end (primers recognizing 5′ flanking         sequences); or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 450 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 consecutive nucleotides, selected         from the 3′ flanking sequence (complement of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000) at their 3′ end (primers         recognizing 3′ flanking sequences); or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 510 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 nucleotides selected from the         inserted DNA sequences (complement of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720) at their 3′ end (primers         recognizing foreign DNA) or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 570 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 nucleotides selected from the         inserted DNA sequences (SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 1 to         nucleotide 569)

The primers may of course be longer than the mentioned 17 consecutive nucleotides, and may e.g. be 20, 21, 30, 35, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 nt long or even longer. The primers may entirely consist of nucleotide sequence selected from the mentioned nucleotide sequences of flanking sequences and foreign DNA sequences. However, the nucleotide sequence of the primers at their 5′ end (i.e. outside of the 3′-located 17 consecutive nucleotides) is less critical. Thus, the 5′ sequence of the primers may consist of a nucleotide sequence selected from the flanking sequences or foreign DNA, as appropriate, but may contain several (e.g. 1, 2, 5, 10 mismatches). The 5′ sequence of the primers may even entirely consist of a nucleotide sequence unrelated to the flanking sequences or foreign DNA, such as e.g. a nucleotide sequence representing restriction enzyme recognition sites. Such unrelated sequences or flanking DNA sequences with mismatches should preferably be not longer than 100, more preferably not longer than 50 or even 25 nucleotides.

Moreover, suitable primers may comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence at their 3′ end spanning the joining region between the plant DNA derived sequences and the foreign DNA sequences (located at nucleotides 209-210 in SEQ ID No 1 and nucleotides 568-569 in SEQ ID No 2) provided the mentioned 3′-located 17 consecutive nucleotides are not derived exclusively from either the foreign DNA or plant-derived sequences in SEQ ID No 1 or 2.

Thus, PCR primers suitable for the invention may also be the following:

-   -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 210 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 consecutive nucleotides selected SEQ         ID No 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 215) at their 3′ end; or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 450 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 consecutive nucleotides, selected         from the complement of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 554 to         nucleotide 1000) at their 3′ end; or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 510 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 nucleotides selected from the         complement of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 195 to nucleotide 720)         at their 3′ end or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 570 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 nucleotides selected from SEQ ID No 2         from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 584)

It will also be immediately clear to the skilled artisan that properly selected PCR primer pairs should also not comprise sequences complementary to each other.

For the purpose of the invention, the “complement of a nucleotide sequence represented in SEQ ID No: X” is the nucleotide sequence which can be derived from the represented nucleotide sequence by replacing the nucleotides through their complementary nucleotide according to Chargaff's rules (A

T; G

C) and reading the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction, i.e in opposite direction of the represented nucleotide sequence.

Examples of suitable primers are the oligonucleotide sequences of SEQ ID No 3, SEQ ID No 4, SEQ ID No 5 (5′ flanking sequence recognizing primers) SEQ ID No 6, SEQ ID No 7, SEQ ID No 8, SEQ ID No 9, SEQ ID No 10, SEQ ID No 11 (foreign DNA recognizing primers for use with the 5′ flanking sequence recognizing primers) SEQ ID No 12, SEQ ID No 13, SEQ ID No 14, SEQ ID No 15 (foreign DNA recognizing primers for use with the 3′ flanking sequence recognizing primers) SEQ ID No 16, SEQ ID No 17, SEQ ID No 18 or SEQ ID No 19 (3′ flanking sequence recognizing primers).

Other examples of suitable oligonucleotide primers comprise at their 3′ end the following sequences or consist of such sequences:

a. 5′ flanking sequence recognizing primers:

-   -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 23 to         nucleotide 42     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 68 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 69 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 69 to         nucleotide 88     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 134 to         nucleotide 153     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 22 to         nucleotide 42     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 30 to         nucleotide 49     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 67 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 70 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 70 to         nucleotide 88     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 76 to         nucleotide 95     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 78 to         nucleotide 97     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 133 to         nucleotide 152     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 21 to         nucleotide 42     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 31 to         nucleotide 49     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 34 to         nucleotide 63     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 66 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 68 to         nucleotide 88     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 73 to         nucleotide 92     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 75 to         nucleotide 95     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 77 to         nucleotide 97     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 77 to         nucleotide 95     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 134 to         nucleotide 152     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 154 to         nucleotide 173     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 22 to         nucleotide 43     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 33 to         nucleotide 53     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 35 to         nucleotide 53     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 67 to         nucleotide 88     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 72 to         nucleotide 92     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 74 to         nucleotide 92     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 76 to         nucleotide 97     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 78 to         nucleotide 95     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 135 to         nucleotide 152     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 154 to         nucleotide 171     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 32 to         nucleotide 53     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 36 to         nucleotide 57     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 71 to         nucleotide 92     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 74 to         nucleotide 95     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 75 to         nucleotide 92     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 32 to         nucleotide 51     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 31 to         nucleotide 51     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 33 to         nucleotide 51     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 30 to         nucleotide 51     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 34 to         nucleotide 51     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from nucleotide 205 to         nucleotide 226         b. foreign DNA sequence recognizing primers for use with 5′         flanking sequence recognizing primers:     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 201 to nucleotide 220     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 220 to nucleotide 239     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 361 to nucleotide 380     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 366 to nucleotide 385     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 201 to nucleotide 219     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 220 to nucleotide 238     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 221 to nucleotide 239     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 358 to nucleotide 377     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 359 to nucleotide 378     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 361 to nucleotide 379     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 366 to nucleotide 384     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 368 to nucleotide 387     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 496 to nucleotide 515     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 656 to nucleotide 675     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 201 to nucleotide 218     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 220 to nucleotide 237     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 221 to nucleotide 238     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 220 to nucleotide 240     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 221 to nucleotide 240     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 251 to nucleotide 270     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 252 to nucleotide 271     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 253 to nucleotide 272     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 359 to nucleotide 377     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 361 to nucleotide 378     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 358 to nucleotide 378     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 359 to nucleotide 379     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 361 to nucleotide 382     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 366 to nucleotide 383     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 368 to nucleotide 386     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 366 to nucleotide 386     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 375 to nucleotide 393     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 375 to nucleotide 394     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 496 to nucleotide 514     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 498 to nucleotide 515     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 562 to nucleotide 581     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 608 to nucleotide 627     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 651 to nucleotide 670     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 655 to nucleotide 674     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 656 to nucleotide 674     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 656 to nucleotide 676     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 669 to nucleotide 678     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 252 to nucleotide 270     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 253 to nucleotide 271     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 251 to nucleotide 271     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 252 to nucleotide 272     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 267 to nucleotide 286     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 359 to nucleotide 376     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 358 to nucleotide 379     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 362 to nucleotide 379     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 359 to nucleotide 380     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 368 to nucleotide 385     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 368 to nucleotide 388     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 375 to nucleotide 392     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 376 to nucleotide 393     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 376 to nucleotide 394     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 376 to nucleotide 395     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 440 to nucleotide 459     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 442 to nucleotide 461     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 496 to nucleotide 513     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 556 to nucleotide 575     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 558 to nucleotide 577     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 561 to nucleotide 580     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 563 to nucleotide 582     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 562 to nucleotide 582     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 608 to nucleotide 628     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 637 to nucleotide 656     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 644 to nucleotide 663     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 651 to nucleotide 669     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 651 to nucleotide 671     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 656 to nucleotide 673     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 655 to nucleotide 675     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 659 to nucleotide 677     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 659 to nucleotide 679     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 201 to nucleotide 222     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 204 to nucleotide 225     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 223 to nucleotide 240     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 223 to nucleotide 241     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 220 to nucleotide 241     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 221 to nucleotide 241     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 253 to nucleotide 270     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 251 to nucleotide 272     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 252 to nucleotide 273     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 253 to nucleotide 274     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 268 to nucleotide 289     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 377 to nucleotide 394     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 375 to nucleotide 395     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 440 to nucleotide 458     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 442 to nucleotide 460     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 440 to nucleotide 460     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 442 to nucleotide 462     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 492 to nucleotide 513     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 503 to nucleotide 522     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 556 to nucleotide 574     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 556 to nucleotide 576     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 562 to nucleotide 579     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 563 to nucleotide 581     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 563 to nucleotide 583     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 562 to nucleotide 583     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 608 to nucleotide 625     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 608 to nucleotide 629     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 644 to nucleotide 662     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 651 to nucleotide 668     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 651 to nucleotide 672     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 655 to nucleotide 676     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 655 to nucleotide 677     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 659 to nucleotide 680     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 657 to nucleotide 688     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 223 to nucleotide 242     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 267 to nucleotide 288     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 368 to nucleotide 389     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 375 to nucleotide 396     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 376 to nucleotide 397     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 440 to nucleotide 457     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 442 to nucleotide 459     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 442 to nucleotide 463     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 534 to nucleotide 553     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 558 to nucleotide 575     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 556 to nucleotide 577     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 563 to nucleotide 580     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 563 to nucleotide 584     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 644 to nucleotide 661     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 645 to nucleotide 662     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 644 to nucleotide 665     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 645 to nucleotide 666     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 325 to nucleotide 342     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 503 to nucleotide 520     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 534 to nucleotide 554     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 221 to nucleotide 242     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 505 to nucleotide 522     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 534 to nucleotide 551     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 534 to nucleotide 555     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 536 to nucleotide 557     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 551 to nucleotide 570     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 551 to nucleotide 571     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 1 from         nucleotide 551 to nucleotide 572         c. foreign DNA sequence recognizing primers for use with 3′         flanking sequence recognizing primers:     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 955 to nucleotide 974     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 955 to nucleotide 973     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 955 to nucleotide 972     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 958 to nucleotide 975     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 958 to nucleotide 977     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 917 to nucleotide 934     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 947 to nucleotide 968     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 951 to nucleotide 968     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 951 to nucleotide 972     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 958 to nucleotide 976     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 955 to nucleotide 976     -   the complement of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from         nucleotide 958 to nucleotide 979         d. 3′ flanking sequence recognizing primers:     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 151 to         nucleotide 170     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 152 to         nucleotide 171     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 6 to         nucleotide 25     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 148 to         nucleotide 167     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 151 to         nucleotide 171     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 152 to         nucleotide 170     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 153 to         nucleotide 171     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 5 to         nucleotide 25     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 7 to         nucleotide 25     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 67 to         nucleotide 86     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 89 to         nucleotide 108     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 134 to         nucleotide 153     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 147 to         nucleotide 167     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 150 to         nucleotide 171     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 153 to         nucleotide 170     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 154 to         nucleotide 171     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 168 to         nucleotide 187     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 169 to         nucleotide 187     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 171 to         nucleotide 190     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 197 to         nucleotide 216     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 236 to         nucleotide 255     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 280 to         nucleotide 299     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 4 to         nucleotide 25     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 8 to         nucleotide 25     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 63 to         nucleotide 82     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 66 to         nucleotide 86     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 68 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 90 to         nucleotide 108     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 93 to         nucleotide 112     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 94 to         nucleotide 113     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 96 to         nucleotide 115     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 101 to         nucleotide 120     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 134 to         nucleotide 154     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 146 to         nucleotide 167     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 150 to         nucleotide 167     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 170 to         nucleotide 190     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 172 to         nucleotide 190     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 186 to         nucleotide 205     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 189 to         nucleotide 208     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 190 to         nucleotide 209     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 191 to         nucleotide 210     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 195 to         nucleotide 214     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 196 to         nucleotide 216     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 196 to         nucleotide 214     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 198 to         nucleotide 216     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 199 to         nucleotide 216     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 208 to         nucleotide 227     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 234 to         nucleotide 253     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 235 to         nucleotide 255     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 279 to         nucleotide 299     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 281 to         nucleotide 299     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 285 to         nucleotide 304     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 296 to         nucleotide 315     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 396 to         nucleotide 415     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 64 to         nucleotide 82     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 65 to         nucleotide 86     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 67 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 75 to         nucleotide 92     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 91 to         nucleotide 108     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 92 to         nucleotide 112     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 93 to         nucleotide 113     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 94 to         nucleotide 112     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 95 to         nucleotide 115     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 95 to         nucleotide 113     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 97 to         nucleotide 115     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 100 to         nucleotide 120     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 132 to         nucleotide 153     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 133 to         nucleotide 154     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 163 to         nucleotide 182     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 165 to         nucleotide 184     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 167 to         nucleotide 187     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 169 to         nucleotide 190     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 173 to         nucleotide 190     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 187 to         nucleotide 205     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 189 to         nucleotide 209     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 190 to         nucleotide 210     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 190 to         nucleotide 208     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 191 to         nucleotide 209     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 192 to         nucleotide 210     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 194 to         nucleotide 214     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 197 to         nucleotide 214     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 233 to         nucleotide 253     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 234 to         nucleotide 255     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 235 to         nucleotide 253     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 282 to         nucleotide 299     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 295 to         nucleotide 315     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 297 to         nucleotide 315     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 397 to         nucleotide 415     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 65 to         nucleotide 82     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 66 to         nucleotide 87     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 75 to         nucleotide 96     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 91 to         nucleotide 112     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 92 to         nucleotide 112     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 94 to         nucleotide 115     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 95 to         nucleotide 112     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 98 to         nucleotide 115     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 99 to         nucleotide 120     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 162 to         nucleotide 182     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 164 to         nucleotide 182     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 164 to         nucleotide 184     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 164 to         nucleotide 184     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 184 to         nucleotide 205     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 187 to         nucleotide 208     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 188 to         nucleotide 205     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 188 to         nucleotide 209     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 189 to         nucleotide 210     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 191 to         nucleotide 208     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 192 to         nucleotide 209     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 193 to         nucleotide 214     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 205 to         nucleotide 212     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 232 to         nucleotide 253     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 236 to         nucleotide 253     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 242 to         nucleotide 261     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 278 to         nucleotide 299     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 283 to         nucleotide 304     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 287 to         nucleotide 304     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 294 to         nucleotide 315     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 298 to         nucleotide 315     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 332 to         nucleotide 349     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 398 to         nucleotide 415     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 161 to         nucleotide 182     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 163 to         nucleotide 184     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 165 to         nucleotide 182     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 166 to         nucleotide 187     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 241 to         nucleotide 261     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 243 to         nucleotide 261     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 244 to         nucleotide 261     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 240 to         nucleotide 261     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 126 to         nucleotide 145     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 208 to         nucleotide 225     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 124 to         nucleotide 145     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 75 to         nucleotide 94     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 231 to         nucleotide 250     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 243 to         nucleotide 262     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 230 to         nucleotide 250     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 232 to         nucleotide 250     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 242 to         nucleotide 262     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 244 to         nucleotide 262     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 229 to         nucleotide 250     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 241 to         nucleotide 262     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 245 to         nucleotide 262     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 287 to         nucleotide 306     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 288 to         nucleotide 306     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 230 to         nucleotide 247     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 285 to         nucleotide 306     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 289 to         nucleotide 306     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 282 to         nucleotide 303     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 288 to         nucleotide 307     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 287 to         nucleotide 307     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 289 to         nucleotide 307     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 286 to         nucleotide 307     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 290 to         nucleotide 307     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 229 to         nucleotide 248     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 230 to         nucleotide 248     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 227 to         nucleotide 248     -   the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No 2 from nucleotide 231 to         nucleotide 248

As used herein, “the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. Z from position X to position Y” indicates the nucleotide sequence including both nucleotide endpoints.

Preferably, the integration fragment has a length of between 50 and 500 nucleotides, most preferably of between 100 and 350 nucleotides. The specific primers may have a sequence which is between 80 and 100% identical to a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the elite event and the foreign DNA of the elite event, respectively, provided the mismatches still allow specific identification of the elite event with these primers under optimized PCR conditions. The range of allowable mismatches however, can easily be determined experimentally and are known to a person skilled in the art.

The following table exemplifies the sizes of expected DNA amplicons (or integration fragments) with selected pairs of PCR primers.

Length Primer 1 From position Primer 2 To position amplicon HCA148 12 KVM174 225 213 HCA148 12 KVM177 253 241 HCA148 12 DPA024 316 304 HCA148 12 MDB390 396 384 HCA148 12 HCA023 511 499 HCA148 12 DPA007 634 622 DPA021 134 KVM174 225 91 DPA021 134 KVM177 253 119 DPA021 134 DPA024 316 182 DPA021 134 MDB390 396 262 DPA021 134 HCA023 511 377 DPA021 134 DPA007 634 500 KVM176 187 KVM174 225 38 KVM176 187 KVM177 253 66 KVM176 187 DPA024 316 129 KVM176 187 MDB390 396 209 KVM176 187 HCA023 511 324 KVM176 187 DPA007 634 447 YTP007 116 HCA074 628 512 YTP007 116 SMO017 667 551 YTP007 116 SMO027 710 594 YTP007 116 SMO033 867 751 MDB452 187 HCA074 628 441 MDB452 187 SMO017 667 480 MDB452 187 SMO027 710 523 MDB452 187 SMO033 867 680 HCA014 398 HCA074 628 230 HCA014 398 SMO017 667 269 HCA014 398 SMO027 710 312 HCA014 398 SMO033 867 469 MDB402 528 HCA074 628 100 MDB402 528 SMO017 667 139 MDB402 528 SMO027 710 182 MDB402 528 SMO033 867 339

Detection of integration fragments can occur in various ways e.g. via size estimation after gel analysis. The integration fragments may also be directly sequenced. Other sequence specific methods for detection of amplified DNA fragments are also known in the art.

As the sequence of the primers and their relative location in the genome are unique for the elite event, amplification of the integration fragment will occur only in biological samples comprising (the nucleic acid of) the elite event. Preferably when performing a PCR to identify the presence of A2704-12 in unknown samples, a control is included of a set of primers with which a fragment within a “housekeeping gene” of the plant species of the event can be amplified. Housekeeping genes are genes that are expressed in most cell types and which are concerned with basic metabolic activities common to all cells. Preferably, the fragment amplified from the housekeeping gene is a fragment which is larger than the amplified integration fragment. Depending on the samples to be analyzed, other controls can be included.

Standard PCR protocols are described in the art, such as in “PCR Applications Manual” (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, 2nd Edition, 1999). The optimal conditions for the PCR, including the sequence of the specific primers, is specified in a “PCR identification protocol” for each elite event. It is however understood that a number of parameters in the PCR identification protocol may need to be adjusted to specific laboratory conditions, and may be modified slightly to obtain similar results. For instance, use of a different method for preparation of DNA may require adjustment of, for instance, the amount of primers, polymerase and annealing conditions used. Similarly, the selection of other primers may dictate other optimal conditions for the PCR identification protocol. These adjustments will however be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and are furthermore detailed in current PCR application manuals such as the one cited above.

Alternatively, specific primers can be used to amplify an integration fragment that can be used as a “specific probe” for identifying A2704-12 in biological samples. Contacting nucleic acid of a biological sample, with the probe, under conditions which allow hybridization of the probe with its corresponding fragment in the nucleic acid, results in the formation of a nucleic acid/probe hybrid. The formation of this hybrid can be detected (e.g. labeling of the nucleic acid or probe), whereby the formation of this hybrid indicates the presence of A2704-12. Such identification methods based on hybridization with a specific probe (either on a solid phase carrier or in solution) have been described in the art. The specific probe is preferably a sequence which, under optimized conditions, hybridizes specifically to a region within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the elite event and preferably also comprising part of the foreign DNA contiguous therewith (hereinafter referred to as “specific region”). Preferably, the specific probe comprises a sequence of between 50 and 500 bp, preferably of 100 to 350 bp which is at least 80%, preferably between 80 and 85%, more preferably between 85 and 90%, especially preferably between 90 and 95%, most preferably between 95% and 100% identical (or complementary) to the nucleotide sequence of a specific region. Preferably, the specific probe will comprise a sequence of about 15 to about 100 contiguous nucleotides identical (or complementary) to a specific region of the elite event.

A “kit” as used herein refers to a set of reagents for the purpose of performing the method of the invention, more particularly, the identification of the elite event A2704-12 in biological samples. More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the kit of the invention comprises at least one or two specific primers, as described above. Optionally, the kit can further comprise any other reagent described herein in the PCR identification protocol. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of this invention, the kit can comprise a specific probe, as described above, which specifically hybridizes with nucleic acid of biological samples to identify the presence of A2704-12 therein. Optionally, the kit can further comprise any other reagent (such as but not limited to hybridizing buffer, label) for identification of A2704-12 in biological samples, using the specific probe.

The kit of the invention can be used, and its components can be specifically adjusted, for purposes of quality control (e.g., purity of seed lots), detection of the elite event in plant material or material comprising or derived from plant material, such as but not limited to food or feed products.

As used herein, “sequence identity” with regard to nucleotide sequences (DNA or RNA), refers to the number of positions with identical nucleotides divided by the number of nucleotides in the shorter of the two sequences. The alignment of the two nucleotide sequences is performed by the Wilbur and Lipmann algorithm (Wilbur and Lipmann, 1983, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 80:726) using a window-size of 20 nucleotides, a word length of 4 nucleotides, and a gap penalty of 4. Computer-assisted analysis and interpretation of sequence data, including sequence alignment as described above, can, e.g., be conveniently performed using the programs of the Intelligenetics™ Suite (Intelligenetics Inc., CA) or the sequence analysis software package of the Genetics Computer Group (GCG, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology center). Sequences are indicated as “essentially similar” when such sequences have a sequence identity of at least about 75%, particularly at least about 80%, more particularly at least about 85%, quite particularly about 90%, especially about 95%, more especially about 100%. It is clear than when RNA sequences are said to be essentially similar or have a certain degree of sequence identity with DNA sequences, thymidine (T) in the DNA sequence is considered equal to uracil (U) in the RNA sequence.

The term “primer” as used herein encompasses any nucleic acid that is capable of priming the synthesis of a nascent nucleic acid in a template-dependent process, such as PCR. Typically, primers are oligonucleotides from 10 to 30 nucleotides, but longer sequences can be employed. Primers may be provided in double-stranded form, though the single-stranded form is preferred. Probes can be used as primers, but are designed to bind to the target DNA or RNA and need not be used in an amplification process.

The term “recognizing” as used herein when referring to specific primers, refers to the fact that the specific primers specifically hybridize to a nucleic acid sequence in the elite event under the conditions set forth in the method (such as the conditions of the PCR identification protocol), whereby the specificity is determined by the presence of positive and negative controls.

The term “hybridizing” as used herein when referring to specific probes, refer to the fact that the probe binds to a specific region in the nucleic acid sequence of the elite event under standard stringency conditions. Standard stringency conditions as used herein refers to the conditions for hybridization described herein or to the conventional hybridizing conditions as described by Sambrook et al., 1989 (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press, NY) which for instance can comprise the following steps: 1) immobilizing plant genomic DNA fragments on a filter, 2) prehybridizing the filter for 1 to 2 hours at 42° C. in 50% formamide, 5×SSPE, 2×Denhardt's reagent and 0.1% SDS, or for 1 to 2 hours at 68° C. in 6×SSC, 2×Denhardt's reagent and 0.1% SDS, 3) adding the hybridization probe which has been labeled, 4) incubating for 16 to 24 hours, 5) washing the filter for 20 min. at room temperature in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 6) washing the filter three times for 20 min. each at 68° C. in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS, and 7) exposing the filter for 24 to 48 hours to X-ray film at −70° C. with an intensifying screen.

As used in herein, a biological samples is a sample of a plant, plant material or products comprising plant material. The term “plant” is intended to encompass soybean (Glycine max) plant tissues, at any stage of maturity, as well as any cells, tissues, or organs taken from or derived from any such plant, including without limitation, any seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, single cells, gametes, cell cultures, tissue cultures or protoplasts. “Plant material”, as used herein refers to material which is obtained or derived from a plant. Products comprising plant material relate to food, feed or other products which are produced using plant material or can be contaminated by plant material. It is understood that, in the context of the present invention, such biological samples are tested for the presence of nucleic acids specific for A2704-12, implying the presence of nucleic acids in the samples. Thus the methods referred to herein for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, relate to the identification in biological samples of nucleic acids which comprise the elite event.

As used herein “comprising” is to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, reagents or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, e.g., a nucleic acid or protein comprising a sequence of nucleotides or amino acids, may comprise more nucleotides or amino acids than the actually cited ones, i.e., be embedded in a larger nucleic acid or protein. A chimeric gene comprising a DNA sequence which is functionally or structurally defined, may comprise additional DNA sequences, etc.

The present invention also relates to the development of an elite event A2704-12 in soybean to the plants comprising this event, the progeny obtained from these plants and to the plant cells, or plant material derived from this event. Plants comprising elite event A2704-12 were obtained through as described in example 1.

Soybean plants or plant material comprising A2704-12 can be identified according to the PCR identification protocol described for A2704-12 in Example 2. Briefly, soybean genomic DNA present in the biological sample is amplified by PCR using a primer which specifically recognizes a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking sequence of A2704-12 such as the primer with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and a primer which recognizes a sequence in the foreign DNA, such as the primer with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. DNA primers which amplify part of an endogenous soybean sequence are used as positive control for the PCR amplification. If upon PCR amplification, the material yields a fragment of the expected size, the material contains plant material from a soybean plant harboring elite event A2704-12.

Plants harboring A2704-12 are characterized by their glufosinate tolerance, which in the context of the present invention includes that plants are tolerant to the herbicide Liberty™. Tolerance to Liberty™ can be tested in different ways. The leaf paint method as described herein, is most useful when discrimination between resistant and sensitive plants is required, without killing the sensitive ones. Alternatively, tolerance can be tested by Liberty™ spray application. Spray treatments should be made between the leaf stages V3 and V4 for best results. Tolerant plants are characterized by the fact that spraying of the plants with at least 200 grams active ingredient/hectare (g.a.i./ha), preferably 400 g.a.i./ha, and possibly up to 1600 g.a.i./ha (4× the normal field rate), does not kill the plants. A broadcast application should be applied at a rate of 28-34 oz Liberty™. It is best to apply at a volume of 20 gallons of water per acre using a flat fan type nozzle while being careful not to direct spray applications directly into the whorl of the plants to avoid surfactant burn on the leaves. The herbicide effect should appear within 48 hours and be clearly visible within 5-7 days.

Plants harboring A2704-12 can further be characterized by the presence in their cells of phosphinothricin acetyl transferase as determined by a PAT assay (De Block et al, 1987).

Plants harboring A2704-12 are also characterized by having agronomical characteristics that are comparable to commercially available varieties of soybean in the US, in the absence of weed pressure and use of Liberty™ for weed control. It has been observed that the presence of a foreign DNA in the insertion region of the soybean plant genome described herein, confers particularly interesting phenotypic and molecular characteristics to the plants comprising this event. More specifically, the presence of the foreign DNA in this particular region in the genome of these plants, results in plants which display a stable phenotypic expression of the gene of interest without significantly compromising any aspect of desired agronomic performance of the plants.

The following examples describe the identification of the development of tools for the identification of elite event A2704-12 in biological samples.

Unless otherwise stated, all recombinant DNA techniques are carried out according to standard protocols as described in Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press, NY and in Volumes 1 and 2 of Ausubel et al. (1994) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Current Protocols, USA. Standard materials and methods for plant molecular work are described in Plant Molecular Biology Labfax (1993) by R. D. D. Croy published by BIOS Scientific Publications Ltd (UK) and Blackwell Scientific Publications, UK.

In the description and examples, reference is made to the following sequences:

SEQ ID No. 1: nucleotide sequence comprising a 5′ flanking region of A2704-12 SEQ ID No. 2: nucleotide sequence comprising a 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 SEQ ID No. 3: primer HCA148 SEQ ID No. 4: primer DPA021 SEQ ID No. 5: primer KVM176 SEQ ID No. 6: primer KVM174 SEQ ID No. 7: primer KVM177 SEQ ID No. 8: primer DPA024 SEQ ID No. 9: primer MDB390 SEQ ID No. 10: primer HCA023 SEQ ID No. 11: primer DPA007 SEQ ID No. 12: primer YTP007 SEQ ID No. 13: primer MDB452 SEQ ID No. 14: primer HCA014 SEQ ID No. 15: primer MDB402 SEQ ID No. 16: primer HCA074 SEQ ID No. 17: primer SMO017 SEQ ID No. 18: primer SMO027 SEQ ID No. 19: primer SMO033 SEQ ID No. 20: primer 1 for amplification of control fragment SEQ ID No. 21: primer 2 for amplification of control fragment

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following Examples, not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments described, may be understood in conjunction with the accompanying Figure, incorporated herein by reference, in which:

FIG. 1: Schematic representation of the relationship between the cited nucleotide sequences and primers. black bar: foreign DNA; light bar: DNA of plant origin; the figures under the bars represent nucleotide positions; (c) refers to complement of the indicated nucleotide sequence.

FIG. 2: PCR Identification protocol developed for A2704-12. Loading sequence of the gel: Lane 1: DNA sample from soybean plants comprising the transgenic event A2704-12; lane 2: DNA sample from a transgenic soybean plant not comprising elite event A2704-12; lane 3: control DNA samples from wild-type soybean plants; lane 4: no template control; lane 5: molecular weight marker.

EXAMPLES 1. Identification of the Flanking Regions of Elite Event A2704-12

Herbicide-resistant soybean was developed by transformation of soybean with a vector comprising the coding sequence of a pat gene encoding the enzyme phosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase, under the control of the constitutive 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic virus.

Elite event A2704-12 was selected based on an extensive selection procedure based on good expression and stability of the herbicide resistance gene and its compatibility with optimal agronomic characteristics.

The sequence of the regions flanking the foreign DNA in the A2704-12 event was determined using the thermal asymmetric interlaced (TAIL-) PCR method described by Liu et al. (1995, Plant J. 8(3):457-463). This method utilizes three nested primers in successive reactions together with a shorter arbitrary degenerate primer so that the relative amplification efficiencies of specific and non-specific products can be thermally controlled. The specific primers were selected for annealing to the border of the foreign DNA and based on their annealing conditions. A small amount (5 μl) of unpurified, secondary and tertiary, PCR products were analyzed on a 1% agarose gel. The tertiary PCR product was used for preparative amplification, purified and sequenced on an automated sequencer using the DyeDeoxy Terminator cycle kit.

1.1. Right (5′) Flanking Region

The fragment identified as comprising the 5′ flanking region obtained by the TAIL-PCR method was completely sequenced (SEQ ID No. 1). The sequence between nucleotide 1 and 209 corresponds to plant DNA, while the sequence between nucleotide 210 and 720 corresponds to foreign DNA.

1.2. Left (3′) Flanking Region

The fragment identified as comprising the 3′ flanking region obtained by the TAIL-PCR method was completely sequenced (SEQ ID No. 2). The sequence between nucleotide 1 and 568 corresponds to foreign DNA, while the sequence between nucleotide 569 and 1000 corresponds to plant DNA.

2. Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction Identification Protocol 2.1. Primers

Specific primers were developed which recognize sequences within the elite event. More particularly, a primer was developed which recognizes a sequence within the 5′ flanking region of A2704-12. A second primer was then selected within the sequence of the foreign DNA so that the primers span a sequence of about 183 nucleotides. The following primers were found to give particularly clear and reproducible results in a PCR reaction on A2704-12 DNA:

DPA021: 5′-ggC.gTT.CgT.AgT.gAC.TgA.gg-3′ (SEQ ID No.: 4) (target: plant DNA) DPA024: 5′-gTT.TTA.CAA.CgT.gAC.Tgg-3′ (SEQ ID No.: 8) (target: insert DNA)

Primers targeting an endogenous sequence are preferably included in the PCR cocktail. These primers serve as an internal control in unknown samples and in the DNA positive control. A positive result with the endogenous primer-pair demonstrates that there is ample DNA of adequate quality in the genomic DNA preparation for a PCR product to be generated. The endogenous primers were selected to recognize a housekeeping gene in Glycine max:

SOY01: (SEQ ID No.: 20) 5′-gTC.AgC.CAC.ACA.gTg.CCT.AT-3′ (located in Glycine max actin 1 gene (Accession J01298)) SOY02: (SEQ ID No.: 21) 5′-gTT.ACC.gTA.CAg.gTC.TTT.CC-3′ (located in Glycine max actin 1 gene (Accession J01298))

2.2. Amplified Fragments

The expected amplified fragments in the PCR reaction are:

For primer pair SOY01-SOY02: 413 bp (endogenous control) For primer pair DPA021-DPA024: 185 bp (A2704-12 elite Event)

2.3. Template DNA

Template DNA was prepared from a leaf punch according to Edwards et al. (Nucleic Acid Research, 19, p1349, 1991). When using DNA prepared with other methods, a test run utilizing different amounts of template should be done. Usually 50 ng of genomic template DNA yields the best results.

2.4. Assigned Positive and Negative Controls

To avoid false positives or negatives, it was determined that the following positive and negative controls should be included in a PCR run:

-   -   Master Mix control (DNA negative control). This is a PCR in         which no DNA is added to the reaction. When the expected result,         no PCR products, is observed this indicates that the PCR         cocktail was not contaminated with target DNA.     -   A DNA positive control (genomic DNA sample known to contain the         transgenic sequences). Successful amplification of this positive         control demonstrates that the PCR was run under conditions which         allow for the amplification of target sequences.     -   A wild-type DNA control. This is a PCR in which the template DNA         provided is genomic DNA prepared from a non-transgenic plant.         When the expected result, no amplification of a transgene PCR         product but amplification of the endogenous PCR product, is         observed this indicates that there is no detectable transgene         background amplification in a genomic DNA sample.

2.5. PCR Conditions

Optimal results were obtained under the following conditions:

-   -   the PCR mix for 25 μl reactions contains:         -   2.5 μl template DNA         -   2.5 μl 10× Amplification Buffer (supplied with Taq             polymerase)         -   0.5 μl 10 mM dNTP's         -   0.5 μl DPA021 (10 pmoles/μl)         -   0.5 μl DPA024 (10 pmoles/μl)         -   0.25 μl SOY01 (10 pmoles/μl)         -   0.25 μl SOY02 (10 pmoles/μl)         -   0.1 μl Taq DNA polymerase (5 units/μl)         -   water up to 25 μl     -   the thermocycling profile to be followed for optimal results is         the following:         -   4 min. at 95° C.     -   Followed by: 1 min. at 95° C.         -   1 min. at 57° C.         -   2 min. at 72° C.         -   For 5 cycles     -   Followed by: 30 sec. at 92° C.         -   30 sec. at 57° C.         -   1 min. at 72° C.         -   For 25 cycles     -   Followed by: 5 minutes at 72° C.

2.6. Agarose Gel Analysis

To optimally visualise the results of the PCR it was determined that between 10 and 20 μl of the PCR samples should be applied on a 1.5% agarose gel (Tris-borate buffer) with an appropriate molecular weight marker (e.g. 100 bp ladder PHARMACIA).

2.7. Validation of the Results

It was determined that data from transgenic plant DNA samples within a single PCR run and a single PCR cocktail should not be acceptable unless 1) the DNA positive control shows the expected PCR products (transgenic and endogenous fragments), 2) the DNA negative control is negative for PCR amplification (no fragments) and 3) the wild-type DNA control shows the expected result (endogenous fragment amplification).

When following the PCR Identification Protocol for A2704-12 as described above, lanes showing visible amounts of the transgenic and endogenous PCR products of the expected sizes, indicate that the corresponding plant from which the genomic template DNA was prepared, has inherited the A2704-12 elite event. Lanes not showing visible amounts of either of the transgenic PCR products and showing visible amounts of the endogenous PCR product, indicate that the corresponding plant from which the genomic template DNA was prepared, does not comprise the elite event. Lanes not showing visible amounts of the endogenous and transgenic PCR products, indicate that the quality and/or quantity of the genomic DNA didn't allow for a PCR product to be generated. These plants cannot be scored. The genomic DNA preparation should be repeated and a new PCR run, with the appropriate controls, has to be performed.

2.8. Use of Discriminating PCR Protocol to Identify A2704-12

Before attempting to screen unknowns, a test run, with all appropriate controls, has to be performed. The developed protocol might require optimization for components that may differ between labs (template DNA preparation, Taq DNA polymerase, quality of the primers, dNTP's, thermocyler, etc.).

Amplification of the endogenous sequence plays a key role in the protocol. One has to attain PCR and thermocycling conditions that amplify equimolar quantities of both the endogenous and transgenic sequence in a known transgenic genomic DNA template. Whenever the targeted endogenous fragment is not amplified or whenever the targeted sequences are not amplified with the same ethidium bromide staining intensities, as judged by agarose gel electrophoresis, optimization of the PCR conditions may be required.

Glycine max leaf material from a number of plants, some of which comprising A2704-12 were tested according to the above-described protocol. Samples from elite event A2704-12 and from Glycine max wild-type were taken as positive and negative controls, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates the result obtained with the elite event PCR identification protocol for A2704-12 on a number of soybean plant samples (lanes 1 to 14). The samples in lane 1 were found to contain the elite event as the 185 bp band is detected, while the samples in lanes 2, 3 and 4 do not comprise A2704-12. Lane 2 comprises another soybean elite event, lane 3 represents a non-transgenic Glycine max control; lane 4 represents the negative control (water) sample, and lane 5 represents the Molecular Weight Marker (100 bp).

3. Use of a Specific Integration Fragment as a Probe for Detection of Material Comprising A2704-12

A specific integration fragment of A2704-12 is obtained by PCR amplification using specific primers DPA021 (SEQ ID No. 4) and DPA024 (SEQ ID No. 8) or by chemical synthesis and is labeled. This integration fragment is used as a specific probe for the detection of A2704-12 in biological samples. Nucleic acid is extracted from the samples according to standard procedures. This nucleic acid is then contacted with the specific probe under hybridization conditions which are optimized to allow formation of a hybrid. The formation of the hybrid is then detected to indicate the presence of A2704-12 nucleic acid in the sample. Optionally, the nucleic acid in the samples is amplified using the specific primers prior to contact with the specific probe. Alternatively, the nucleic acid is labeled prior to contact with the specific probe instead of the integration fragment. Optionally, the specific probe is attached to a solid carrier (such as, but not limited to a filter, strip or beads), prior to contact with the samples. 

1. A method for identifying elite event A2704-12 in biological samples, comprising detecting a A2704-12 specific region comprising a part of the 5′ or 3′ flanking DNA region of elite event A2704-12 and a part of the foreign DNA region of elite event A2704-12 contiguous therewith, with at least two specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction or with a specific probe that hybridizes to said A2704-12 specific region in said biological samples, wherein one of said primers recognizes the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 and the other primer recognizes a sequence within the foreign DNA contiguous therewith, and wherein said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209, said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720, said 3′ flanking DNA region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000, and said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 3′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 2. The method of claim 1, said method comprising amplifying a DNA fragment of between 100 and 500 by from a nucleic acid present in said biological samples using a polymerase chain reaction with at least two primers, one of said primers recognizing the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12, said 5′ flanking region comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209, said 3′ flanking region comprising the nucleotide sequence of the complement of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000, the other primer of said primers recognizing a sequence within the foreign DNA comprising the nucleotide sequence of the complement of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720 or the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said primer recognizing the 5′ flanking region consists of a nucleotide sequence of 17 to 200 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209 or said primer recognizing the 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 consists of a nucleotide sequence of 17 to 200 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of the complement of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000, and said primer recognizing a sequence within the foreign DNA consists of 17 to 200 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of the complement of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720 or the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said primer recognizing the 5′ flanking region comprises at its extreme 3′ end a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209 or said primer recognizing the 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 comprises at its extreme 3′ end a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of the complement of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000, and said primer recognizing a sequence within the foreign DNA comprises at its 3′ end at least 17 consecutive nucleotides selected from the nucleotide sequence of the complement of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720 or the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said primer recognizing the 5′ flanking region comprises the sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 and said primer recognizing a sequence within the foreign DNA comprises SEQ ID No.
 8. 6. The method of claim 5, said method further comprising amplifying a fragment of about 185 by using an A2704-12 identification protocol.
 7. The method of claim 1, said method further comprising hybridizing a A2704-12 specific region of in biological samples with a specific hybridization probe for A2704-12, said A2704-12 specific region comprising a part of the 5′ or 3′ flanking DNA region of elite event A2704-12 and a part of the foreign DNA region of elite event A2704-12 contiguous therewith, wherein said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209, said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720, said 3′ flanking DNA region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000 and said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 3′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sequence of said specific probe has at least 80% sequence identity with a sequence comprising part of said 5′ flanking region and said foreign DNA contiguous therewith, or with a sequence comprising part of said 3′ flanking region and said foreign DNA contiguous therewith.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sequence of said specific probe has at least 80% sequence identity with SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 160 to 260 or SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 520 to 620, or the complement of said sequences.
 10. A method for confirming seed purity, comprising detecting a A2704-12 specific region comprising a part of the 5′ or 3′ flanking DNA region of elite event A2704-12 and a part of the foreign DNA region of elite event A2704-12 contiguous therewith, with at least two specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction or with a specific probe that hybridizes to said A2704-12 specific region in seed samples, wherein one of said primers recognizes the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 and the other primer recognizes a sequence within the foreign DNA contiguous therewith, and wherein said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209, said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720, said 3′ flanking DNA region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000, and said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 3′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 11. A method for screening seeds for the presence of A2704-12, comprising detecting of a A2704-12 specific region comprising a part of the 5′ or 3′ flanking DNA region of elite event A2704-12 and a part of the foreign DNA region of elite event A2704-12 contiguous therewith, with at least two specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction or with a specific probe that hybridizes to said A2704-12 specific region in samples of seed lots, wherein one of said primers recognizes the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of A2704-12 and the other primer recognizes a sequence within the foreign DNA contiguous therewith, and wherein said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 209, said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 5′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 from nucleotide 210 to nucleotide 720, said 3′ flanking DNA region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 569 to nucleotide 1000, and said foreign DNA region contiguous with said 3′ flanking region comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. 2 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide
 568. 